Barrelless bear gun



` NpmA 5, 1929. J. F. PFEIFER 1,734,876

BARRELLES S BEAR GUN Filed Feb. l5. 1926 will@ Patented Nov. 5, 1929UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN rannnmcx PFEIFER, or LEwIsTowN, MONTANABARRnLLEss BEAR, GUNv `Application filed February breaking power'instead of a carrying power, y

in the bears mouth causing instant death; and the objects of theinvention are, first, to provide a more convenient means for the trapperwho often finds diflicuty in moving the heavy bear-traps; second, toinsure more instant death to the bear, thus reducing the suering causedby exposure and pain while in trap; and third, reducing the danger ofwalking into traps, which often become snowed under while the bear-gunwill be placed at such a height that it may be easily seen.

The form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing inwhich Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view,

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view,

Figure 3 is a rear end elevational View, and

Figures 4 and 5 are detailed views.y

The structure embodying this invention includes the ktubular breech orbody portion 9, having its lower wall slotted at 19 for a portion of itslength and provided with open ends. The rear end of the breech 9 isbeveled and has projecting upwardly therefrom, at the same inclinationas the bevel, a lug 21 formed with a keyhole opening 20, as illustratedin Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. The forward open end of the breech isexternally screw threaded for a' purpose to be described at a laterpoint. .n f

Positioned within the bore 6 of the breech 9 is a partition 8, of discshape, which is secured in place by the pins 22. This partition iscentrally apertured for the reception of the rod-like hammer 7. Thishammer is pointed at its forward end 12 and is externally screw threadedfor having secured thereto the disclike partition 11. The rear portionof the hammer 7 is provided with a depending trig ger-set 3 which isslidably positioned within the slot 19 of the breech. The hammer is alsoprovided at its rear portion with longi* tudinally spaced notches 4L and5.

Encircling the hammer 7 and interposed 15, 192e.y rsensu No. 88,443.

between the partition v8 and guide 11 isa coil spring 10 which functionsto force the hammer `towards the forward end of the breech. F or thepurpose of holding the hammer in its vcocked position, against thetension of the spring 10, a trigger 1, of angular formation,

isprovided and is pivoted by the fulcrum .pin 2 to depending, aperturedears which arelocated at the forward end ofthe slot 19. The

upper end of this trigger is beveled so that it will properly seat inthe notch 5 for holding the hammer cocked. The notch 4 engages the upperend of the trigger for retaining the hammer in a safety position.

The forward end of thefbreach 9 has posi@ i tioned in its boreacentrally apertured shell backing disc 13. Detachably.` threadedlyconnected to the forwardV end of thefbreach is a shell capv 15 which isformed with a central aperture 17 for the reception ofthe special shellor cartridge 16. Figure 1 clearly illustrates the manner in which theshell 16 isfattached to the breach and it isto be understood that theshell is of the center firing type so that the cap, not shown, willregister with the aperture 14.- in the member 13.

The operation of this barrelless bear-gun may be described as follows:

The lug 21 is employed as a mounting for the gun and enables the same tobe mounted upon a suitable upright by means of a nail,y a screw or thelike passed through the keyhole slot 20. Tt will be seen that theinclination of the rear yend of the breach 9 and the lug 21 will causethe breach to be inclined with respect to the vertical face of thesupport, not shown. This manner of mounting the gun is intended toyalign the breach with the throat of an animal which is required toelevate or raise its head to reach the bait, not shown,

secured to the forward end of the gun. Thil bait is to be attached, asby a cord or the like, which has not been shown, to the trigger 1 bymeans of the aperture 18 in the latter.

When the gun is properly mounted and th e f,

the trigger l and release the hammer. The forward end of the hammer willthen pass through the aperture for tiring the shell.

It is to be understood that this shell is of a special type, preferably2O gauge and will spread laterally or explode in its entirety ratherthan project a bullet or the like.

It is to be understood that the invention as shown and described may bechanged with respect to shape, size land arrangement of parts so long asit does not depart from the spirit of the invention and scope of thesubjoined claims.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, I claim;

In a gun of the type described, a tubular breech having a longitudinalslot in its wall, an angular trigger pivoted in one end portion of saidslot, a stationary partition in the bore of the breech adjacent said endof the slot, a rod-like hammer slidable throughan aperture in saidpartition and having a hooked end projecting outside of the breechthrough said slot and also having a pair of spaced notches receiving theinner end of the trigger to hold the hammer either in a firing or asafety position, a guide on the iring end portion of the hammer movablewith the latter, a spring encircling the hammer between the partitionand the guide, a centrally apertured shell backing disk positioned inthe forward end of the breech, a shell clamping ring threaded on theforward end of the breech to hold a shell against said disk` and a rigidy apertured lug on the rear end of the breech and extending at an angleless than the perpendicular.

JOHN FREDERICK PFEIFER.

